SCANDALOUS (1984)
Five, 1.40pm
An ill-conceived comedy thriller notable mainly for its big-name support cast, Scandalous was an early outing for Rob Cohen, who would later direct the action blockbusters The Fast and the Furious and XXX. Robert Hays (recognisable as the hero in the Airplane! films) plays an ambitious US reporter who uncovers a British spy scandal while under suspicion for the murder of his wife. John Gielgud, Pamela Stephenson and the Carry On veteran Jim Dale also appear. A hackneyed Hollywood take on early 1980s London, there is little to enjoy here beyond nostalgic novelty value. (92 min)
MultiChannel
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LE DIVORCE (2003)
Film4, 6.45pm
One of the final collaborations between the long-term partners Ismael Merchant and James Ivory before Merchant’s death last year, this transatlantic literary farce is full of fine moments, but is ultimately an unwieldy mess. Kate Hudson leads the cast as a young American who becomes embroiled in the Parisian divorce proceedings of her stepsister, played by Naomi Watts. A mighty legal battle over a valuable painting follows while Glenn Close, Melvil Poupard, Matthew Modine and Stephen Fry hover in the background. A classy confection that ultimately fails to deliver. (117 min)
MY FAVOURITE YEAR (1982
TCM, 7pm
This nostalgic comedy is a tour de force for Peter O’Toole, earning the sole Oscar nomination of his career so far in the role of a boozy, swashbuckling movie star, Alan Swann. Assigned to keep Swann out of trouble before his guest appearance on a TV variety show (based on the 1950s live comedy series Your Show of Shows, which starred Sid Caesar), Mark Linn-Baker’s young scriptwriter eventually bonds with the wayward star in funny and unexpected ways. A little too stagey and pleased with itself, Richard Benjamin’s warm-hearted romp was produced by Mel Brooks and inspired by his own youthful encounter with the Hollywood legend Errol Flynn. (92 min)